Monchi: Who is Everton's sporting director target?

A look at the Sevilla man who the Blues would like to bring to Goodison Park

Monchi, director of football of Sevilla lifts the trophy after the UEFA Europa League Final match between Liverpool and Sevilla at St. Jakob-Park on May 18, 2016 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)

Share this video

Watch Next

Since then, his work – the headline of which is player recruitment and sales – has seen them move back into La Liga, establish themselves both domestically and in Europe, as well as reach 14 finals in 10 years.

But he is now looking to move on; nothing coincidental about his raised profile as he seeks pastures new. Everton, under Farhad Moshiri, are also contemplating appointing a sporting director. Better still, Monchi is close to Blues managerial target Unai Emery, whom has led Sevilla to that treble Europa success.

A match made in heaven? Perhaps not. Monchi has been told by Sevilla that any club who wants to prise him will have to pay his hefty buy-out clause. Add that to big competition for his signature, and the Blues would have a lot of work to do if they wanted to follow up their interest.

Still, no surprise Monchi would be considered. His record in terms of signing players is superb. Here are some of the stars he brought to Sevilla in the past 15 years.

Adriano of Sevilla celebrates with his team mates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Cup Final between Espanyol and Sevilla

Dani Alves

Bought for: £400k from Bahia

Sold for: £26.5m to Barcelona

The marauding right back was snapped up from Brazilian side Bahia in 2003, first on loan, before buying him on a permanent deal. He enjoyed nearly 250 appearances for the club and established himself as his country’s first-choice right back.

Julio Baptista

Bought for: £2.6m from Sao Paulo

Sold for: £15m to Real Madrid

‘The Beast’ arrived after three years in his homeland, and was transformed when joining the La Liga side. Playing as an attacking midfielder, his reputation grew, and his two years there secured him a move to giants Real.

Ivan Rakitic

Bought for: £2m from Schalke

Sold for: £13.5m to Barcelona

The classy Croatian was an astute signing from the Bundesliga. Despite a solid three-and-a-half seasons in Gelsenkirchen, he was snapped up for a tiny fee. He would go on to become a midfield general in Spain, captaining the club to Europa League glory.

Seydou Keita (L) of Sevilla fowls Lionel Messi of Barcelona during the La Liga match between Sevilla and Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on February 9, 2008 in Seville, Spain. Keita received a red card for his fowl. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Seydou Keita

Bought for: £3m from Lens

Sold for: £10m to Barcelona

Another player sold to Barcelona, and one who would go on to lift the Champions League with them. The Mali midfielder enjoyed five years with Lens in France, and was handed the armband. That alerted Monchi, who snapped him up, before selling him on after just a season.

Carlos Bacca

Bought for: £5.25m from Club Brugge

Sold for: £22.5m to AC Milan

Two excellent seasons in Belgium, including the 2012-13 campaign which saw him score 25 in 35 league games, secured the Colombian a move to La Liga. He was a revelation there, scoring at a rate of just under 1-in-2 and lifting the Europa League twice. He was a man in demand last summer.

Grzegorz Krychowiak

Bought for: £4.1m from Stade Reims

Sold for: N/A

Polish midfielder has been a key component in the Sevilla side for the last few seasons, establishing himself as one of the best defensive-minded midfielders in Europe. He remains at the club but has been linked with a big-money move away.